Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) features a

talented cast of 11 sophomore fillies, but no clear-cut stand-out. Moreover,

Keeneland's firm turf course could well contribute to a quite different result

from the soft-ground events that a few of these have contested. For these

reasons, we'll go value hunting with MY PRINCESS JESS (Stormy Atlantic) at 9-2

on the morning line for this nine-furlong affair.

Transferred to Barclay Tagg after her smart score in the Gaviola S. in May,

My Princess Jess uncorked one of the most dynamic moves we have seen in this

division when taking the Boiling Springs S. (G3) on Monmouth's firm turf. Next

time out, she handled Saratoga's soft going, and barnstormed her way out of a

troubled trip, en route to a convincing victory over ALWAJEEHA (Dixieland Band)

in the Lake George S. (G2). Like three others in here, the dark bay is exiting

the Garden City S. (G1) on a rain-pelted Belmont course listed as yielding.

After making an arguably premature move in such conditions, My Princess Jess

battled gamely in the stretch but tired for fourth, beaten a total of 1 3/4

lengths by BACKSEAT RHYTHM (El Corredor). With a different trip, on better

ground, My Princess Jess can turn the tables. We're not thrilled with her being

drawn in post 11, but we'll trust Eibar Coa to work out a reasonable passage for

this quality filly, who boasts a terrific lifetime mark of 8-4-3-0.

ARIEGE (Doneraile Court) was a solid runner-up in the Garden City, emerging

as a threat in the lane only to be outfinished late. The Bobby Frankel pupil is

a dual-surface threat, having won the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and Beaumont S. (G2)

on synthetic and the Madame Jumel S. on the Spa's turf. As a daughter of the

magnificent Kostroma (Ire) (Caerleon), Ariege should be able to run up to her

best on firm ground, and indeed, she just missed in the La Habra S. (G3) at

Santa Anita earlier this season. Her 3-1 morning-line favoritism seems a bit

skimpy to us, but she is unquestionably a major danger beneath the hot-riding

Alan Garcia. Ariege should also benefit from a ground-saving trip from her rail

post.

Backseat Rhythm looked devastating in the Lake Placid S. (G2), where she

accelerated through the yielding ground to win going away by 3 1/4 lengths, and

she again coped best with the conditions in the Garden City. We're not entirely

persuaded that she will confirm those impressions on the level playing-field

afforded by firm turf. Still, the Pat Reynolds trainee is too good to dismiss

lightly, and she's a must-use in the exotics with regular rider Javier

Castellano.

CLOSEOUT (Repriced), who came from the clouds to capture the Pucker Up S.

(G3) at Arlington Park, is eligible to upset the apple cart at 8-1. Runner-up to

Ariege two back after a troubled trip in the Madame Jumel, she has the class to

be a factor in her first try at the Grade 1 level. Our biggest concern is her

style as a confirmed closer. There is not an abundance of speed in here, and she

just may find herself with too much to do in the stretch. Jamie Theriot will

have the task of masterminding her patented late rally.

The royally bred SEFROUA (Kingmambo), a daughter of Coronation S. (Eng-G1)

heroine Sophisticat (Storm Cat) and a granddaughter of champion Serena's Song (Rahy),

merits respect in her first start for Graham Motion. Previously based in France,

she did not face any of the heavy hitters there, but her good third to the older

Criminologist (Maria's Mon) in the Noble Damsel H. (G3) bodes well for her.

Sefroua is admirably consistent, having never been unplaced in seven starts, and

a repeat of her Noble Damsel could see her crack the superfecta at an alluring

20-1. Note that she receives first-time Lasix.

The aforementioned Alwajeeha has been a shade disappointing. The Shadwell

homebred promised big things when finishing second to Bsharpsonata (Pulpit) in

the Tropical Park Oaks, and when driving to a narrow victory in the Appalachian

S. (G3) at this venue in April. In her defense, though, she may have been

compromised by rain-affected ground to some extent in her past three, including

a retreating sixth in the Garden City. We may see an entirely different

Alwajeeha at Keeneland, so we won't be surprised if she outperforms her 12-1

odds.

STORM MESA (Sky Mesa) capped a five-race winning streak with a commendable

coup in the San Clemente H. (G2), overcoming a spot of trouble in the process.

The Bret Calhoun filly did not duplicate that performance in the Del Mar Oaks

(G1), where she faded to finish fifth behind MAGICAL FANTASY (Diesis [GB]). That

may have been a bridge too far on three weeks' rest, and her subsequent

freshening could work wonders for Storm Mesa. Magical Fantasy showed marked

improvement in first-time earmuffs last time out, posting far and away a

career-best effort. On the other hand, the California turf brigade looks

substantially weaker than their counterparts back East, and that leads us to

take a stand against both Storm Mesa and Magical Fantasy.

ROSA GRACE (GB) (Lomitas [GB]) finished a creditable second to Backseat

Rhythm when making her U.S. debut in the Lake Placid. Her European form was not

terribly prepossessing, however, and her most attractive selling point is that

she is getting Lasix in her first outing for Christophe Clement.  LICKETY

LEMON (Lemon Drop Kid), third to Ariege and Closeout at Saratoga, finally broke

through with her first stakes victory in the Flaming Page S. at Woodbine. That

was at 1 1/2 miles, and we really don't like the severe cutback in distance on a

sharper course. MY BABY BABY (Bernstein) has acquitted herself well versus

lesser, but she does not appear to be quite up to this level.